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Things to do in Donegal.......

So far this week on Facebook we have been posting up links to wonderful Donegal. We’ve had everything from the Slieve League Cliffs to Enya. We also posted links to some general attractions but to get you over the line on your decision to get up and come to Ireland here is a quick list of some things you have to consider doing in Donegal.

Visit Donegal Castle. Right in the heart of Donegal, the central location provides the perfect starting point for exploring the beautiful region. Built in 1505 the castle has been the home to some of Ireland’s most important families since then. Today the castle has guided tours and information on the various owners the castle has had and it is also has great examples of amazing French tapestries and Persian rugs fit for any castle.

If forts and castles interest you make sure to check out Fort Dunree too. This site was traditionally an important defensive site. Today its unique location is home to military memorabilia including 20th century guns. Aside from guns and defence the site is now a wildlife retreat with local bottle nosed dolphins amongst the many animals you can see.

Along with the fauna on view at Fort Dunree you can fully immerse yourself in nature by doing one of the Glencolmcille Walks. The 35 km routes set out between Slieve League and Slieve Tooey vary in difficulty so there is something there for both novice and experienced walkers. The Cliffs of Slieve League are worth visiting by themselves. Although less famous than the cliffs of Moher these cliffs are over twice as high and are amongst the tallest cliffs in Europe.

The Folk Park in Glencolmcille provides a welcome respite for walkers as well as providing an insight into life in the 1700s up to the 1900s. With exact replica cottages people can get a hands on experience of what life was like over the last three hundred years. Also on site are various Irish language and culture courses which add to any visitor’s experience.

The beauty of Glenveagh National Park has to be seen. One of only six national parks in Ireland it is set over 16,000 acres. There are numerous walks and activities to discover as well as amazing scenery to take in.

Within the National Park of Glenveagh make sure to take time to visit Glenveagh Castle. The castle was built in the 1870’s and has a Scottish Barmoral style. It was donated to the Irish people by its owner Henry Plumer McIlhenny. McEIlhenny was an American who owned the castle up until 1980. While he owned the castle it was a retreat for his celebrity friends including Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin.

Before ending your stay in Donegal make sure to stop off at the Killybegs Maritime Centre. It is located in the Donegal Carpets Building which is home to the world famous hand knotted Donegal carpets. These carpets can be found in the White House, Buckingham Palace, The Vatican and Dublin Castle. On site you can even see the largest hand knotted loom in the world as well as testing your skills on a loom too. Obviously it’s not all carpets and there are plenty of maritime elements too including a life sized wheelhouse which allows you to see how fishing is actually carried out off the Donegal coast. Lastly if the maritime museum made you want to get in the water head down to Bundoran which has become a world famous surfing destination.

Donegal has so much on offer and with so much variety and choice it’s often best explored by car to allow for greater individuality. Check out some of our self-drive tour options below which will allow you to explore this beautiful part of our island.